There has been no shortage of reaction to Liverpool's Champions League first leg with AS Roma - and with good reason.

Barring two late strikes from Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti, it was the perfect evening for the Reds who sensationally propelled themselves into a 5-0 lead. Braces from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as well as a Sadio Mane strike gave Kopites plenty to cheer on Tuesday night.

Nevertheless, it wasn't only the two late Roma goals that put a dampener on the victory but also the serious injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the first-half.

The Englishman has been in the form of his life for Liverpool in central midfield and his crock against Roma could rule him out for not only the season but the World Cup also.

Reflecting after the game, Jurgen Klopp stated: “Oxlade, it’s probably a really bad injury.

Major injury for Oxlade-Chamberlain

“If we can say that already before the scan, that’s never good news so that means for us it’s a massive blow, of course.

“We have still a few very important games to go and the squad doesn’t get bigger in the moment, so we obviously need to be creative in the next few games.”

Sad to hear, no doubt - yet what does it mean for Liverpool going forward?

Fowler worried about Liverpool's midfield depth

Well, Liverpool aren't spoilt for choice when it comes to their midfield and none of the Oxlade-Chamberlain alternatives have played quite as well as the ex-Arsenal man.

Robbie Fowler knows this all too well and made the worrying point to BBC Sport after the 5-2 win last night.

The Liverpool legend penned: "Liverpool are threadbare. Top four is not guaranteed, but they need to start wrapping players up in cotton wool. As much as the top four is important, they need to keep this XI on the pitch.

"Other than Wijnaldum there are not more midfielders on that Liverpool bench.

"Emre Can is injured and I am not sure Adam Lallana will return. It is massively important we look after the players."

Too right, Fowler.

The top four isn't mathematically guaranteed but it would take a pretty dramatic implosion for Liverpool to miss out, so they should direct their attention to the Champions League now.

Ahead of the pressure-fuelled second leg with Roma and potentially a final, Liverpool can't afford another midfield injury.

It's an exciting time for Liverpool and not an epoch that should be overshadowed with negativity.

Their victory over Roma remains an incredible feat but you sense the mood would be that much better if they'd kept a clean sheet and finished with Oxlade-Chamberlain on the pitch.

As Fowler says, for the sake of the Champions League, wrap those midfielders in cotton wool and maybe some bubble wrap for good measure.